Archaeology

Universiteit Leiden

Deze opleiding

In this programme, the most extensive in the Netherlands, a strong emphasis is placed on field archaeology, with an additional focus on ecology and geology.

The one-year programme is directly linked to ongoing research. The faculty staff are involved in archaeological projects around the world, which ensures you will have access to in-depth knowledge of specific culture areas.This is combined with ongoing debates in general theory, the development of new methods and the use of information technology.

There is a focus on field archaeology, ecology and geology, which is combined with iconological and historical studies as well as with ethno-archaeological, anthropological and experimental approaches.

Students will choose two specialisations during the master's programme. Students who choose Archaeobotany and Archaeozoology or Human Bone Studies as their first specialisation, and who write their thesis on one of these subjects, receive a Master of Science degree in Archaeology.For all other specialisations students receive a Master of Arts degree in Archaeology.

specialisatie Archaeology and Anthropology of the Americas

This focus revolves around the religious worldview, rituals and symbolism, as well as on the development and social organisation of the early states in Central America, and of Ecuador-Peru-Bolivia.

These ancient civilisations of have left an impressive heritage of monuments, visual art and written texts, as well as colourful customs and oral traditions.

This focus revolves around the religious worldview, rituals and symbolism, as well as on the historical development and social organisation of the early states in these regions.

The analysis of archaeological data is not only connected to the study of colonial chronicles and archival documents, but also enriched with ethnographic fieldwork to document the endangered heritage of indigenous cultural traditions and oral literature.

the archaeology and ethnography of the Mixtec people in Southern Mexico

the documentation and analysis of surviving ancient calendars and ceremonial language in Mexico and Guatemala

field archaeology in Nicaragua

the interpretation of Quechua literature and the oral tradition in Peru.

specialisatie Archaeology of the Caribbean and Amazonia

In Leiden, the interest in the indigenous America goes back to the geographer-linguist-historian Johannes de Laet, who worked with the West Indian Company in the 17th century.

At present, different research teams in our faculty work extensively in several regions of the Americas, including the Caribbean and Amazonia.

The timeframe covers the precolonial, contact and colonial periods, considering local, regional, and pan-regional developments and intercultural interconnections (Amerindian-African-European). This broad interdisciplinary effort engages advanced methods and techniques in combination with current theoretical approaches in archaeology, anthropology, ethnohistory, ethnography, biogeochemistry and archaeometry, creating significant synergy among the research group members and students.

Important foci of study include the interpretation of material and visual cultures, the analysis of intercultural dynamics, and social and exchange networks. The examination of archaeological data is complemented with the study of colonial chronicles and archival documents.

specialisatie Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Middle Ages and Modern Period

The conquest by Rome brought profound changes to Europe.

Unprecedented infrastructural works such as roads and harbours were created, towns sprang up, a ribbon of fortresses was laid out along the frontiers. Villas were introduced in the countryside.

In the courses offered, various aspects of the current debate on Roman frontiers and frontier communities will be investigated both in the West and the East.After the collapse of the Roman state, the foundations for Europe as we know it today were laid down in the Middle Ages and Modern Period. Major processes, such as religious transformation, urbanisation, social differentiation and the rise of the market economy determine the structures and dynamics of society in the Middle Ages and the Modern Period. In the courses with an accent on economy and urbanisation we will follow the transformation from the 'Dark Ages' to the Industrial Revolution.

specialisatie Palaeolithic Archaeology

Leiden University's Human Origins group has been running large-scale excavations at Neumark-Nord 2 (Germany), a unique Middle Palaeolithic site dating from about 125,000 years ago.

Currently, excavations focus on the site of Les Cottés (France), which has an excellent record of the archaeology of both the last Neanderthals and the earliest modern humans.

Students are able to work on some of the material from both sites as well as their contexts. Co-operation with the scientists working at these sites provides you with the opportunity to learn how archaeologists study the depositional environment, chronology, environment, spatial patterning of archaeology, and lithic and faunal material from the site.

An important research focus is the prehistory of early fire usage, in which graduate students participate with a wide variety of thesis research. Staff as well as student members of the research group also participate in new studies of the Eugène Dubois collection, which includes the type fossil of Homo erectus, at the Naturalis Museum (Museum of Natural History) in Leiden.

specialisatie Prehistory of North-Western Europe

This programme focuses on the archaeology of prehistoric farming communities.

It especially goes into detail on the ways in which people constructed their living environment in relation to other communities, their ancestors, the supernatural and of course the physical landscape. To this end archaeological data are studied ranging from the Neolithic to the Iron Age. The programme focuses on a number of concepts using actual data, covering issues such as ancestral landscapes, burial analysis, exchange, world systems and the biography of the landscape. The courses are highly dependent on interaction with the students, who are challenged to develop their own informed opinion on these topics by writing papers, participating in discussions, and conducting research.

The programme consists of intensive courses, generally with guest lecturers. The courses focus on the discussion of data, their interpretations and theoretical backgrounds. You will learn to acknowledge that the nature of these data is often more complex than you assumed, and consequently all the more interesting. You will be stimulated to develop an independent, but well-argued opinion on current issues.

specialisatie Archaeology of the Near East

The Near East constitutes a region of enormous culture-historical significance, and constitutes a cradle of civilisation from Prehistory up to the Early Medieval period.

Various key developments, such as the origins of farming and sedentary life, and the emergence of complex urbanised societies and writing, occurred first in this region and spread subsequently.

In this focus you will learn how to investigate such key developments using primary archaeological data. Understanding how data are obtained, being able to contextualise these in specific local culture-historical contexts, and translating the data to observations relevant for the study of processes such as neolithisation, urbanization, and imperialisation are central to this focus. In this way research is explicitly linked with the teaching curriculum.

The Near Eastern section has considerable expertise on Neolithic Syria and Anatolia, reconstructing ecological and agricultural practices, architectural analysis and the study of society, survey methodologies, the investigation of complex societies of the Bronze Age and Iron Age Near East, and Byzantine archaeology.

specialisatie Classical and Mediterranean Archaeology

This focus is suitable for graduates in Archaeology, Ancient History and Classics, as well as for those qualified in History and Anthropology.

Courses are closely related to the two central themes of the department: the archaeology of town and country in the Mediterranean region, and the archaeology of culture contact in the (wider) Mediterranean.

Both themes deal with issues ranging from the Bronze Age up to the Middle Ages and an interdisciplinary approach is taken to the subjects of study. Different aspects of these themes will be addressed each year, always aligned with contemporary research carried out by the various staff members and their research groups. A course in current debates in Classical and Mediterranean Archaeology will not only confront you with the most important theoretical and other debates and exciting fieldwork from this vibrant field, but will also introduce you to the scholars, including international scholars involved in the field.

specialisatie Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology

This focus provides you with detailed background about the methods and theories used to study human bones and teeth in physical anthropology and archaeology.

It offers a solid foundation in skeletal and dental anatomy, as well as an understanding of the histology of skeletal tissues, morphological variation between males and females, and changes that come with age. The programme also considers diseases that can be diagnosed from bones and teeth and the palaeo-epidemiological insights which can be drawn from them.

Furthermore, you are introduced to the standards associated with ancient DNA and isotope analysis. This focus teaches procedures for the excavation of skeletonised human remains along with the standards used for recording them.In addition, special attention is paid to taphonomic changes that can take place within the grave context.

specialisatie Material Culture Studies

The MSc focus Material Culture Studies centers on the study of the cultural biographies of portable artefacts made of stone, ceramics, bone, antler, shell, coral, metal or glass.

A major interest is the reconstruction of the technological system by examining the interconnectivity of different chaînes opératoires.

Courses will be dealing with current approaches in material culture theory, an overview of relevant methods and techniques employed in artefact studies, and experimental archaeology. We specialise in provenience studies of various raw materials, technology and wear trace and residue analysis, using microscopy and various analytical techniques. There is a close cooperation with the Material Science and Geophysics divisions of the Technical University in Delft. Laboratory studies are central in this programme.

In order to be admitted to the MSc programme Material Culture Studies you must be acquainted with a number of texts which will be tested by means of an oral exam taking place at the end of September. For the titles, see the e-study guide.

specialisatie Palaeoecology

Palaeoecology focuses on a variety of palaeo-zoological and palaeo-botanical topics, ranging in age from the Palaeolithic to the historical periods.

The programme revolves around palaeo-environmental or palaeo-economical questions as well as evolutionary aspects of faunal or floral communities and the evolution of species.

In the department's specialised laboratories, small and large mammals are studied, as well as pollen and plant macro remains. Apart from practical work, relevant excursions and fieldwork, a large part of the programme is intended for writing the thesis. In this thesis, the results of practical investigations are presented, combined with literature studies. During the programme, you will be confronted with the application of aDNA and isotope studies in the field of palaeo-zoological and palaeo-botanical research. The regular programme is supplemented with lectures by guest speakers, including international speakers.

specialisatie Heritage Management in a World Context

In this focus you will trace the roots and developments of archaeological heritage management, on land and under water.

You will learn about current and ethical issues and you will experience some of these in daily practice. Attention will be paid to international treaties and organisations and issues such as ownership, values, stakeholders, repatriation, looting, and commercial archaeology.Contemporary dilemmas of archaeological heritage management will also be addressed in depth. They relate to subjects such as public archaeology, site management, and heritage protection in conflict zones. You will meet challenging guest lecturers, with whom you can discuss the issues and dilemmas that heritage managers face. Working with professional heritage managers will give you the ideal opportunity to enhance your network.

specialisatie Heritage of Indigenous Peoples

This master's specialisation will explore the living heritage from ancient times of descendant communities.

In many parts of the world archaeologists and anthropologists encounter diverse forms of cultural continuity: descendant communities maintain and cultivate traditional knowledge, religious ideas and customs that go back to ancient times. This living heritage offers valuable opportunities for innovative research: for example, it may throw light on the meaning and function of archaeological artefacts and monuments. Simultaneously, the connection between past and present stimulates historical consciousness, memory and identity, and as such may be a valuable asset in educative and developmental projects.

Many of such descendant communities belong to “indigenous peoples”, i.e. peoples that have been colonized and have never obtained independence or that after national independence still remain in a marginal social position, facing exploitation and discrimination (“internal colonialism”). Their heritage is often expropriated, while the living cultures and languages may face the danger of extinction.This focus offers theoretical and practical orientations of how to work with local communities and to conduct fruitful archaeological and anthropological research.

specialisatie Museum Studies

This focus offers you the opportunity to explore a range of different approaches and issues in cultural politics and cultural theory as relevant to modern museum practices.

Museum Studies in Leiden is especially attractive because of the long-standing traditions in academic and museum work. Three large national museums (the Museum of Antiquities, the Museum of National History, and the Museum of Ethnology) were founded in Leiden at the beginning of the 19th century.

Museum practices and academic research have always been closely related. Many research programmes involve both researchers from the university as well as researchers from the Leiden museums. In addition, these museums have been more and more involved in ethical issues concerning ownership and mobility of collections and politics of museums and collecting. The unique combination of practical experience and high-quality academic research offers you a dynamic, contemporary environment in a 200-year tradition.

Op kamers in Leiden

aan het woord: studenten en docenten

Willem Liethof

Testimonial Willem Liethof

“I chose Leiden because of the broad range of possible specialisations and because Archaeology in Leiden has such a good reputation.”

“I chose to study archaeology firstly because I wanted to do something I liked. I had always been digging in the garden. Secondly, I wanted to actually do something, not just sit in an office with books and a computer. I chose Leiden because of the broad range of possible specialisations and because Archaeology in Leiden has such a good reputation. As I like traveling and have always been interested in Mesoamerica, I decided to specialise in this area...

Many people visit the Department from other institutions so it is easy to acquire a good network of contacts. My girlfriend Sissy and I went on two work placements last year in the Dominican Republic, one project was a Leiden University project and the other was run by a PhD who was conducting research there via Leiden. If you add a couple of weeks' holiday on the end of the project, you can have a great summer, gaining a lot of experience both within and outside the study. After my study, I hope to continue to work in this area.”

Na de studie

Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt

The last few years have witnessed a favourable development in the Dutch archaeological job market. Funds for carrying out rescue excavations have become available in large building budgets. Employment can therefore chiefly be found in Dutch archaeology on a contract or project basis, either with commercial companies or with (semi-) government institutions. The additional disciplines of the archaeology programme in Leiden also provide a sound basis for finding employment in the Netherlands.